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Original poster

Need help with our 'Ant World'.....!

19 replies

NormaSnorks · 15/04/2007 22:55

OK, so we finally got around to putting together DS2's 'Ant World' from Xmas, as there were loads of them in the garden today...

BUT

  • failed miserably to get anywhere near the recommended 30 ants into the thing

Tried the fruit in the feeder thing and managed to get about 8 in two hours, and then another 6/7 by sucking them up with the dustbuster - I was desperate!

So any advice on that first of all, as we need to get more in tomorrow....

Also, does anyone have any idea how full the bottom section should be with sand i.e. should there be space at the top before the middle ridge/sticker bit or not? I filled it up (albeit loosely) but the ants that are in there don't seem to be tunnelling much, and I wondered if there's not enough space....

oh lawdy - I knew this 'pet' thing would cause problems...

OP posts:
Original poster
NormaSnorks · 15/04/2007 23:01

ø¤º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º

OP posts:
DimpledThighs · 15/04/2007 23:03

we did one last year - can't remember how we did the sand etc but we got the ants by raiding an ants nest witht he sucking thing.

Mhamai · 15/04/2007 23:18

Feck will you come and help yourself to mine? Little shits are running amok round here at the mo.

Freddiecat · 15/04/2007 23:20

We bought them in the end. 40 ants for £4. If you give them strawberries then make sure you remove the fruit quickly. Ours fermented and the ants got drunk (VERY funny to watch but 10 died!). All ants now dead and need to get round to emptying the damn thing.

Mhamai · 15/04/2007 23:22

4 quid for 40 ants! hmmmmmmmmmm anyone want some ants.............for a price

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 16/04/2007 14:05

Dimpled Thighs - what sucking thing? Ours didn't come with any sucking thing... hence the dustbuster!

I REFUSE to pay £4 for 40 ants.....

OP posts:
DimpledThighs · 16/04/2007 16:24

oh a kind of thing where you put the straw over the any and then suck a different straw kind of and there is a central chamber and the ant is shot up into it - oh cripes - can't explain without drawing it!

scotlou · 16/04/2007 16:29

Doesn't need to be space between the sand and the ridge - but don't put cram too much sand in otherwise the sides don't seal properly and teh ants will escape. (ours did - twice!)
I bought the ants so can't help you with catching wild ones!

Eowyn · 16/04/2007 16:32

I bought dd one of these & spent last week trying to catch ants, had no idea it would be so difficult. We have prob only got about 15, as they all have to be from the same nest it gets a bit tricky when they've all decided to hide.
I didn't manage to lure any with fruit, just tried to get them while they were scurrying away, it is a bit wierd, have gone from hating them to checking up on them every day.
I think mine are beginning to tunnel but you can't see very clearly. I have nearly filled it to the top of the bottom, bit of a gap as sand has settled.
May try to get some more but it got a bit knackering, also don't know if they will be ok being together after separation from family. Can't really believe I'm worrying about it either.

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 16/04/2007 17:14

Eowyn - I feel exactly the same - constantly checking to make sure I haven't killed any .

Got another 10 or so today so I reckon I have about 20 - may leave it there, although I suppose it makes it harder work for the few ants there are is they have to share the work....

Am finding it strangely fascinating I have to say! Love the way they 'meet & greet' each other with their antennae!

OP posts:
Original poster
NormaSnorks · 16/04/2007 17:18

Aha! WHat we need is a POOTER

Hmm - better make sure we get the pipes the right way round though.....

OP posts:
Mhamai · 16/04/2007 17:23

Ah but ye Gods, imagine sucking the wrong way? bleurghhhhhhh!

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 16/04/2007 17:27

The guy writing the piece on the link says he swallowed his first fly!

"there was an old mumsnetter who swallowed a fly....."

OP posts:
Eowyn · 16/04/2007 20:34

I'm actually wondering if i have any tubing to make that, think old garden hose might be a bit big. Are you going to?
I've never had pets before, wouldn't have guessed I'd end up checking on the ants several times a day, at least I haven't named them..
is it politically incorrect to say they all look the same to me....?

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 16/04/2007 21:16

You can actually make it with drinking straws too, DS1 (7) has reliably informed me... It would appear that he has 'already done that' at school......

Just don't forget the mesh bit.......

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 16/04/2007 21:20

Oooh oooh ooh we have just been given this as well

I will watch this thread with interest

burstingbug · 16/04/2007 21:23

Paying someone for ants are they a special 'breed' of ant?
I have a whole army of them marching along the garden, up the wall and into my bin.
Please feel free to give them a new home

Original poster
NormaSnorks · 16/04/2007 21:30

Do I see an eBay opportunity here??

If so, my garden is worth a fortune

OP posts:
burstingbug · 16/04/2007 21:32

Norma, where abouts are you, maybe we should set up a joint business

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